Name: Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: ½ cup warm water (about 110°F); 1 package active dry yeast (0.25 oz); 1 tsp granulated sugar; ½ cup milk; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp salt; ¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature); 2 large eggs (room temperature and lightly beaten); 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp canola oil (or any flavorless oil); 15 oz ube jam; ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled, plus 3 tbsp melted butter for brushing); ½ cup packed brown sugar; 1 ½ cups unsweetened shredded coconut

If you’ve been hankering for a Filipino-inspired treat that’s soft, fluffy, and bursting with the sweet, earthy goodness of ube, then you’re in for a real delight. I’m super excited to share this Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe because it combines the best of that vibrant purple yam flavor with rich, toasted coconut in a way that just melts in your mouth. Trust me, once you try making these rolls, they’ll quickly become a staple in your baking rotation.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Authentic Filipino Flavor: This recipe masterfully blends ube jam and coconut for that classic, nostalgic taste.
Soft, Pillowy Texture: Perfectly tender bread rolls that are easy to make at home, even if you’re new to baking.
Impressively Versatile: Great as a snack, dessert, or even brunch item that your family and friends will love.
Fun and Colorful: You’ll enjoy making and sharing something that looks as good as it tastes.

Two pieces of soft, light beige bread roll are layered with swirls of smooth purple filling inside. The bread shows a fluffy, airy texture with visible pores, and the purple filling wraps through in thin ribbons adding a vibrant contrast. The base has a golden-brown crust with crispy looking bits underneath the bread pieces. This is all served on a plain white plate on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe balances the richness of butter and eggs with the natural sweetness of ube jam and coconut. Each ingredient works in harmony to create those irresistibly soft rolls with just the right amount of sweetness and aroma. Here’s what I usually stock up on before starting:

Warm water: Warm to about 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
Active dry yeast: The secret to fluffy bread—make sure it’s fresh for a good rise.
Granulated sugar: Helps feed the yeast and adds sweetness to the dough.
Milk: Adds richness and tenderizes the crumb.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Unsalted butter: Softened for dough and melted for brushing – adds buttery richness and that beautiful golden finish.
Large eggs: Brings moisture and structure, use room temperature for best mixing.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the bread; if you want softer rolls, you can try bread flour.
Canola oil: Or any flavorless oil, helps keep the rolls moist.
Brown sugar: Gives a hint of molasses flavor that pairs wonderfully with coconut.
Unsweetened shredded coconut: Toasted for a delightful texture and nutty flavor.
Ube jam: The star ingredient – rich, creamy, and full of that iconic purple yam flavor.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. Feel free to swap, add, or customize—you’ll find that these rolls are surprisingly adaptable!

Dairy-Free Version: I’ve tried this with coconut milk instead of regular milk and vegan butter; it comes out just as tasty and keeps the tropical vibe.
Extra Coconutty: If you’re a coconut lover like me, sprinkle extra toasted coconut on top before baking for a crispier texture.
Ube Cream Cheese Filling: Sometimes, I mix cream cheese with the ube jam for a tangy twist that’s insanely good.
Mini Rolls: Make smaller rolls for bite-sized snacks—perfect for parties or kiddie lunches.

How to Make Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast

Start by combining your warm water, active dry yeast, and a teaspoon of granulated sugar in a small bowl. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it’s frothy and bubbly. This tells you the yeast is alive and kicking—if it doesn’t bubble, it’s time to get fresh yeast. I learned this the hard way once and wasted half a batch because I skipped the proofing step!

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients and Dough

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the milk, remaining granulated sugar, salt, softened butter, and lightly beaten eggs. Once your yeast mixture is ready, add it in along with the canola oil. Slowly mix in the flour, one cup at a time, until the dough starts coming together. You’re aiming for a soft, non-sticky dough—that’s your cue to stop adding flour. I always reserve a little flour to dust the surface for kneading.

Step 3: Knead and Proof

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. At first, it’ll be sticky, but just keep flouring your hands lightly and kneading. Then, shape it into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for around 1 to 1.5 hours or until it doubles in size. I usually preheat my oven to 100°F, turn it off, and let the dough rise inside—it’s foolproof!

Step 4: Assemble the Rolls

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and divide it into 12 equal portions. Flatten each portion into a small disc, spread a spoonful of ube jam in the center, then fold and seal the edges to encase the jam completely. I like to pinch the seams well so it doesn’t leak during baking—this was a little mess I encountered my first time, and now I’m extra careful.

Step 5: Top with Butter, Brown Sugar, and Coconut

Arrange the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops generously with melted butter, then sprinkle a mix of brown sugar and shredded coconut over each roll. This is where all the magic happens—the sugar caramelizes, and the coconut toasts beautifully, adding that irresistible crunch and flavor.

Step 6: Final Proof and Bake

Cover the rolls loosely and let them rise for another 30-40 minutes until puffy. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for about 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Keep an eye on them toward the end to avoid over-browning. When they come out, give them one last brush of melted butter for shine and extra flavor. This step always gets compliments from my family every time!

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Pro Tips for Making Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe

Perfect Yeast Activation: Always proof your yeast in warm, not hot, water to get that bubbly reaction—which means fluffy bread!
Don’t Overflour: Adding too much flour can make your rolls dense—trust the dough when it feels soft and slightly tacky.
Seal Your Rolls Well: Pinch the dough edges thoroughly around the ube jam; otherwise, you’ll have melted jam oozing over your baking tray.
Brush Early and Often: Brushing with melted butter before baking and immediately after gives great color and richness.

How to Serve Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a single bread roll with a purple and golden brown swirl pattern on top, placed on shredded brown coconut on a white plate. Behind the plate, there is a glass baking dish with several similar bread rolls, all golden brown with a visible purple swirl inside. A small white bowl filled with white granulated sugar and another white bowl containing a scoop of bright purple mashed filling are nearby. A white cup of dark brown coffee sits on a white saucer, and a silver fork is placed next to the plate. The entire scene is set on a white marbled surface with a red and white striped cloth in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple: a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes on top adds a little extra texture and that nutty aroma that pairs perfectly with the ube. Sometimes, I dust a tiny amount of powdered sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special touch.

Side Dishes

These rolls shine on their own but pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. If you want to make it a fuller meal, try serving alongside fresh tropical fruits like mango or pineapple, or a light salad to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I love arranging these rolls in a basket lined with colorful napkins, or even setting up a “build your own” ube roll bar with extra coconut, nuts, and spreads like ube butter or cream cheese. It’s always a hit and gets people talking!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, I store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature—they usually last 2-3 days fresh and soft. To keep them from drying out, I sometimes wrap each roll in plastic before placing them in the container.

Freezing

If I want to prep ahead, I freeze the rolls after shaping but before the final proof. I wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, I thaw them overnight in the fridge and let them rise one last time before baking.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a roll in a 300°F oven for about 8-10 minutes, covered with foil to keep moisture in. This revives that melt-in-your-mouth softness without drying out the bread or coconut topping.

FAQs

Can I use frozen ube jam for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just thaw the ube jam completely before using it to fill the rolls to ensure it spreads easily and bakes evenly.
What can I substitute if I can’t find ube jam?

If ube jam is hard to find, you can try using taro jam or even purple sweet potato jam, though the flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
How do I know when the bread rolls are fully baked?

Look for a golden-brown crust and a hollow sound when you tap the bottom of a roll. The internal temperature should be around 190°F for fully baked bread.
Can I make these rolls without eggs?

You can replace each egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water) or another egg substitute, but texture might be slightly denser.

Final Thoughts

This Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe has such a special place in my heart because it bridges traditional Filipino flavors with the warmth of homemade baking. Each bite reminds me of festive family gatherings and cozy afternoons with a good cup of tea. I really encourage you to try these rolls—you’ll find the process fun and the results utterly satisfying. Plus, sharing these vibrant, delicious rolls with your loved ones is a wonderful way to bring a taste of the Philippines right into your kitchen.